Help
10/27/11 7:07 PM | Johan Lindahl
The only tennis event in one of the world's richest cities is on death watch after a title sponsor failed to step forward to fund the long-running Hong Kong Tennis Classic.
The exhibition has been on the go for 35 years but won't be held in January after an eight-month search proved fruitless in securing funding in one of the world's money capitals.
That's in sharp contrast to oil-rich Abu Dhabi, which has attracted world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, defending champion Rafael Nadal and 2010 finalist Roger Federer to it's $250,000 winner-take-all exhibition in late December.
"We've been forced to postpone the event in January owing to a lack of sponsorship," a Hong Kong tournament official told local media. "In today's financial environment, finding a sponsor has been difficult, and this has proved to be the case.
"As we are already in October, we know that players will now have committed to other tournaments, and sadly there is no alternative but to postpone it."
It's been a WTA show in recent year in Hong Kong, which once was home to an ATP event. Playing at recent editions were Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams and current world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki. In earlier days, men including John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg and Michael Chang fronted up.
The event might just be able to be played later in the year. "I hope this is a temporary glitch and that a sponsor will step forward to assume the reins," said co-tournament director Terry Catton. "I hope we can stage in later in the year."
Find the latest tennis odds at Unibet.com
Tell a friend »
Scan QR code to access Unibet mobile.
Bet on Sports wherever you are and whenever you like, with Unibet's quick and simple mobile client you can place bets, check results and see live odds.
For more info about QR codes & scanners click here.
Contact us
/ About us
/ Cookies
/ Recommended links
/ Advertise
/ Sitemap
Tennistalk v1.5.0
Disclaimer © 2001-2012, Moneytainment Media Ltd - All rights reserved
